Major Mondays: Psychology
Major: The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology provides students with the opportunity to pursue a plethora of subfields in Psychology such as Developmental, Clinical, and Biological. Who may be a suitable fit for the Psychology major, one might ask? Students who are eager to engage in research opportunities and are looking to position themselves for graduate school at major research universities. The B.A. in Psychology will not only provide students with the fundamental and foundational knowledge in Psychology, but also with skills in scientific reasoning and critical thinking as well as embracing the ethical and social responsibility in an increasingly diverse society.
Overview: The B.A. in Psychology provides students with the unique opportunity to gain real-world experience through internships with renowned companies. Additionally, the hands-on nature of the program and curriculum will not only allow students to participate in cutting-edge research here in Los Angeles, but also with study abroad opportunities through the Dornsife Overseas Studies program. Furthermore, students will gain assistance from the USC Dornsife Career Pathways that works to align students’ academic pursuits with individualized career and professional pathways. The B.A. in Psychology also may serve as the first step towards a graduate degree interested students can obtain advising services for through USC Pre-Graduate School Advising. Essentially, a student majoring in Psychology will receive individualized guidance and assistance as it pertains to academic as well as professional pathways.
Notable: Our Psychology students have the ability to bolster their degree and enhance their professional options through participation in the Psychology Department Honors program! The Honors program was developed in order to provide students with an opportunity to not only pursue innovative research training, but also with the chance to refine their analytical and critical thinking skills needed for graduate school. The courses in the program will engage students through philosophy, the latest research designs, and data analysis.
In addition to the Honors program, Psychology students can join the Psi Chi International Honors Society in Psychology! Founded in 1929, Psi Chi was designed to not only inspire and maintain continued excellence in all academic fields, but to also further advance the science of Psychology. Psi Chi membership is open to all undergraduate students so long as they have met the minimum academic qualifications and have Psychology as one of their majors.
Unique Academic Opportunity: In addition to required lower-division courses (e.g. Intro to Psychology), students will also be completing coursework in subfields of Psychology such as Cognitive, Developmental, Clinical, Biological, and Social Psychology!
Here are some examples of such courses:
PSYC 305: Learning and Memory
PSYC 339Lg: Origins of the Mind
PSYC 367g: Stress, Health, and the Mind-Body Connection
PSYC 404L: Psychophysiology of Emotion
The Student Experience: Psychology students genuinely have the opportunity to pursue a litany of academic and professional interests such as business, law, medicine, and of course, psychology! Through research and coursework, students will be able to demonstrate their in-depth knowledge and application of psychological concepts as well as frameworks. Additionally, Psychology students will be able to produce a research study or even other psychological projects while being able to explain and present scientific research findings. Furthermore, students will be able to apply skills in psychology-specific content, project-management, and team collaboration through internships, research, and overseas studies! A student earning a B.A. in Psychology at USC will not only be able to develop knowledge of psychology’s content domains, but will also be able to integrate sociocultural factors and apply ethical standards into their scientific inquiries which will assist in cultivating meaningful career direction following graduation.
Want to Learn More?
If the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology genuinely resonates with you and leaves you curious, I recommend reviewing the course catalogue to get a sense for your academic coursework at USC and checking out the Department of Psychology’s annual events.
Written by: Andy T. Nguyen, Assistant Director – USC Office of Admission